PAOK‑Dynamo Kyiv Euro League match triggers UEFA protest over referee and flag

Greek club PAOK Saloniki raised objections to the appointment of Polish referee Damian Sylwestrzak for the upcoming Europa League replay against Dynamo Kyiv. The club argued that the referee’s nationality raised concerns, recalling previous disputes with Polish officials, including a protest after a match with Panathinaikos.

Dynamo Kyiv, which lost the first leg 3‑2 in Lublin, lodged a formal complaint with UEFA after Greek supporters displayed a Russian flag at the stadium, calling the incident a deliberate provocation amid the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian side demanded UEFA intervene and apply the same standards used for racism and xenophobia cases.